Ye Jingchuan was extremely curious about Prince An's other plan.
However, on the way back to the main hall, the paths were bustling with maids and servants, making it inappropriate for him to ask further.
Upon reaching the entrance of the flower hall, Ye Jingchuan bowed to Zhao Qingshu. "This official greets the Young Master."
"Lord Ye is a guest today—no need for formalities," Zhao Qingshu replied before summoning a servant to escort Ye Jingchuan to the main hall.
As Ye Jingchuan departed, he overheard Prince An asking his son, "Have all the guests arrived?"
"Everyone except the Crown Prince and the Second Prince."
In other words, Prince Chen had already arrived.
Prince An nodded. "You go ahead and entertain the guests. I’ll wait here for the two princes."
"Yes, Father."
After Zhao Qingshu left, Princess Anping fanned her flushed cheeks from the heat.
"Father, all the ladies have arrived. I’ll return to the opera pavilion now."
"Go ahead, but don’t cause trouble."
Princess Anping pouted in displeasure. "I didn’t cause trouble—it was Ye Chutang who provoked me!"
"You are the hostess. Even if she provokes you, you must endure it. Do not disgrace the dignity and reputation of Prince An’s household."
"Father, whether it’s Tang Wanning or Ye Chutang, neither of them belongs to you! Don’t confuse who’s family and who’s not!"
Princess Anping had often heard her mother complain—how Prince An had nearly turned against the Emperor, his own brother, for Tang Wanning’s sake, and how her mother had almost died carrying her.
That was why she harbored such deep hostility toward Tang Wanning’s daughter.
Prince An’s gaze turned icy at his daughter’s rebellious words. "Simin, watch your tongue!"
Princess Anping’s given name was Zhao Simin, and her title was Anping.
Seeing that Prince An was truly angered, she quickly softened her tone, adopting a coaxing manner.
"Father, Anping knows she was wrong. Please be magnanimous and don’t hold it against me. I didn’t mean it."
As she spoke, she tugged at Prince An’s sleeve, swaying it playfully.
The gesture melted Prince An’s sternness instantly.
"Anping, rest assured—your father knows very well who is an outsider and who is family. It’s too hot here. Go to the opera pavilion and cool off."
"Thank you, Father. I’ll take my leave."
"Mm, go on."
Prince An then called for a servant. "Summon Prince Chen to the lotus pond. Tell him I have urgent matters to discuss."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Princess Anping, who hadn’t gone far, overheard this. Her smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a frosty glare.
Hah! Her father knew full well that she loved Prince Chen and would marry no one else—yet he still schemed to force Prince Chen into marriage with Ye Chutang.
What kind of father was he?!
If no one would help her, then she would seize the opportunity herself!
She would switch places with Ye Chutang and be the one to fall into the water!
When Princess Anping arrived at the opera pavilion, she overheard Princess An saying, "A few days ago, I acquired several rare koi with blue scales. They’re kept in the lotus pond. Would you all like to see them?"
As the birthday celebrant, Princess An’s suggestion was met with eager agreement, regardless of the ladies’ actual interest in blue koi.
"Such a rarity—of course, we must see them!"
"They say sighting a koi brings good fortune. We’d be honored to share in Your Highness’s blessings."
Princess An then turned to Ye Chutang, who had remained silent. "Miss Ye, your literary talent is renowned. Might I trouble you to compose a poem about the koi?"
Ye Chutang inwardly groaned: Here it comes—the trap is set!
She had already guessed Princess An’s scheme the moment "lotus pond" was mentioned.
Falling into the water, being rescued, skin-to-skin contact, a scandal, and a forced marriage—classic!
She defiantly raised a middle finger at Princess An.
"Your Highness honors me with such a request."
Though Princess An didn’t understand the gesture, it unsettled her, as if it carried some hidden insult.
But luring Ye Chutang to the lotus pond was the priority, so she let it pass.
"Come, the sunlight isn’t too harsh now—it’s the perfect time to see the koi at their liveliest. With luck, we might even witness them leaping like dragons!"
The ladies followed Princess An toward the nearby lotus pond.
Ye Chutang deliberately lingered in the crowd, giving Princess An the perfect chance to strike.
Princess Anping followed closely, her eyes locked onto Ye Chutang’s back, unwilling to miss her opportunity.
She had accidentally overheard her parents’ plan to trap Prince Chen into a compromising situation with Ye Chutang during the banquet, ensuring an imperial decree for their marriage.
She didn’t care about the reasons—she only wanted to twist the scheme to her advantage, making herself the one destined to marry Qi Yanzhou!
Ye Chutang sensed the piercing gaze and glanced back.
Her eyes met Princess Anping’s predatory glare.
She arched a brow, lips curling in a smirk, her expression dripping with disdain and challenge.
Princess Anping remained unmoved.
Securing Qi Yanzhou was all that mattered—everything else was secondary.
Ye Chutang was slightly surprised by her indifference but remained wary.
Soon, the group reached the lotus pond.
Princess An had a servant scatter fish food into the water, where lotus leaves floated densely.
Almost immediately, the koi swarmed in a frenzy.
"Oh! There really are blue koi—their scales shimmer like jewels! How breathtaking!"
"I see them too—several of them! One even has a purplish hue, so regal!"
The ladies crowded closer, eager to glimpse the rare fish.
"Look! A koi leaping like a dragon! This is my first time seeing such a sight—how extraordinary!"
"Where? I only see them fighting over food."
"Here, beneath the tallest lotus leaf—the blue koi is jumping again!"
Everyone pressed forward, straining to witness the spectacle.
Princess An noticed Ye Chutang being pushed to the edge and quickly interjected, "Ladies, do not crowd—be careful not to fall! Make way for Miss Ye so she may admire the scene and compose her poem."
Her words were heeded, and the ladies parted, creating a narrow path.
Ye Chutang strolled leisurely toward the pond’s edge, her senses sharp, anticipating who might try to push her in.
Princess Anping shadowed her every step.
Just as Ye Chutang reached the water’s edge, a foot suddenly jutted out to trip her.
She prepared to dodge and retaliate by kicking the culprit into the pond—
But Princess Anping seized her shoulders first, swapping their positions before plunging into the water herself.
Splash!
Water sprayed everywhere.
As the ripples settled, Ye Chutang clearly saw Princess Anping’s triumphant smile just before the water swallowed her whole.
